Camera module and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To enhance fixing strength of an imaging unit to a case to make the imaging unit robust and enhance a protective function of an imaging module after focus adjustment.SOLUTION: A camera module comprises: an imaging unit (4) that includes a flange portion (23) orthogonal to an optical axis (O) in a lens unit (14) and includes engaging recessed portions (a first engagement portion 24-1, a second engagement portion 24-2) in a lens folder (16) for holding the lens unit; a first case portion (front case 6) that includes a flange arrangement portion for arranging the flange portion; a second case portion (rear case 8) that includes strut portions (a first strut portion 36-1, a second strut portion 36-2) for supporting the flange portion and engaging with the engaging recessed portion, and is joined to the first case portion; a fixing mechanism (inter-case connection portion 12) for fixing the imaging unit to the first case portion by sandwiching the flange portion between the flange arrangement portion and the strut portion; and an engagement mechanism (25) for supporting the imaging unit to the second case portion by engaging the engaging recessed portion with the strut portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera module used in, for example, an in-vehicle camera device and a manufacturing method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art It is already known that vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a camera device such as a CCD camera, which captures images of blind spots and displays the images on a display device inside the vehicle.

[0003] With regard to such vehicle-mounted camera devices, a structure is known that maintains a constant positional relationship between the wide-angle lens and the shading portion even when the lens unit is moved axially relative to the lens folder, preventing the field of view from shifting or gaps from occurring (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-323079 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the camera module of the vehicle-mounted camera device includes a lens unit and a sensor, and when the lens unit is fixed to the lens folder, it is necessary to adjust the focus of the lens unit on the lens folder. The focus adjustment is performed by moving the lens unit on the optical axis.

[0006] Since the focal length of each lens unit differs from one to another and varies, the unit length after focus adjustment differs for each imaging unit depending on the focal length of the lens unit, and is not a constant length.

[0007] For this reason, the case that houses the imaging unit must take into consideration the tolerances of the parts that make up the imaging unit and fluctuations in the unit length due to focus adjustment. As a result, if a margin is assumed, the case length will be long, which poses the problem of the case becoming larger.

[0008] If an attempt to solve such problems were made to narrow the case that houses the imaging unit, then there would be a problem that excessive stress would be applied to the focus adjustment mechanism when assembling the cases and storing the imaging unit, for example, when combining the cases, thereby impairing the focus adjustment of the imaging unit.

[0009] Patent Document 1 does not disclose or suggest such a problem, and the configuration disclosed therein is unable to solve such a problem.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to increase the fixing strength of the imaging unit to the case to make it more robust, and to improve the protection function of the imaging module after focus adjustment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of a camera module of the present disclosure, the camera module includes an imaging unit having a lens unit with a flange portion perpendicular to an optical axis and an engagement recess in a lens folder that holds the lens unit, a first case portion having a flange arrangement portion for arranging the flange portion, a second case portion including a support portion that supports the flange portion and engages with the engagement recess and is joined to the first case portion, a fixing mechanism that fixes the imaging unit to the first case portion by sandwiching the flange portion between the flange arrangement portion and the support portion, and an engagement mechanism that supports the imaging unit in the second case portion by engaging the engagement recess with the support portion.

[0012] In this camera module, the engagement recess includes at least a first engagement recess and a second engagement recess having different shapes, the support portion includes at least a first support portion that engages with the first engagement recess and a second support portion that engages with the second engagement recess, and a placement direction of the lens unit or image sensor portion included in the imaging unit may be determined by engagement between the first engagement recess and the first support portion, or the second engagement recess and the second support portion.

[0013] This camera module may include a first sealing ring installed between the flange portion and the flange arrangement portion having the first case portion, and a second sealing ring installed between the first case portion and the second case portion, and the fixing mechanism may fix the first case portion and the second case portion with the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring in a compressed state.

[0014] This camera module may further include a heat dissipation section provided in the second case section to dissipate heat from the space inside the case.

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of a manufacturing method for a camera module disclosed herein, the method includes the steps of forming an imaging unit by holding a lens unit in a lens folder and adjusting the focus of the lens unit, placing a flange portion of the lens folder in a flange arrangement portion of a first case portion and engaging a support portion of a second case portion with an engagement recess of the lens folder, and sandwiching the flange portion between the flange arrangement portion and the support portion to fix the imaging unit to the first case portion and supporting the imaging unit on the support portion to join the first case portion and the second case portion. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained. (Camera module) (1) By combining the first case part and the second case part, the lens unit can be fixed between the flange arrangement portion of the first case part and the support portion of the second case part, and the imaging unit can be fixed by engaging the recess of the lens folder that holds the lens unit with the support portion of the second case part, and the imaging unit can be protected by the first case part and the second case part.

[0017] (2) The flange portion of the lens unit included in the imaging unit after focus adjustment can be fixed to the first case part and the second case part, and the lens folder that holds the lens unit is supported by engaging with the support portion on the second case part. As a result, no stress is applied to the imaging unit in the optical axis direction, so that the imaging unit after focus adjustment can be protected and no inconvenience such as impairing the focus adjustment occurs.

[0018] (3) The first case part and the second case part can be firmly fixed together, which increases the robustness and reliability of the camera module.

[0019] (Camera module manufacturing method) (4) The imaging unit can be fixed in the combined space between the first case part and the second case part without affecting the focus adjustment state of the imaging unit, and the imaging unit can be protected.

[0020] (5) The camera module can be made more robust and the manufacturing process can be simplified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the camera module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat dissipation structure of a camera module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a camera module 2 according to an embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

[0023] The camera module 2 includes an imaging unit 4, a front case 6, a rear case 8, a first sealing ring 10-1, a second sealing ring 10-2, and an inter-case connection portion 12.

[0024] <Imaging unit 4> The imaging unit 4 includes a lens unit 14, a lens folder 16, and a sensor board 18. The lens unit 14 is slidably attached to the lens folder 16, and the sensor board 18 is attached to the rear part of the lens folder 16. Therefore, the lens unit 14 is held in the lens folder 16 after the focus is adjusted on the lens folder 16.

[0025] The lens unit 14 includes a circular lens portion 20, such as a wide-angle lens, and the lens portion 20 includes a lens holding portion 21, a sealing ring attachment portion 22, and a flange portion 23. The lens holding portion 21 is a frame portion that holds the periphery of the lens portion 20. A first sealing ring 10-1 is attached to the sealing ring attachment portion 22. The flange portion 23 is a fixing member for fixing the lens unit 14 between the front case 6 and the rear case 8, and is perpendicular to the optical axis O of the lens portion 20.

[0026] The lens holder 16 and the sensor board 18 are formed with a first engagement recess 24-1, a second engagement recess 24-2, and a third engagement recess 26 for engaging with the rear case 8. The first engagement recess 24-1 and the second engagement recess 24-2 are formed at orthogonal positions centered on the optical axis O, and the third engagement recess 26 is formed by cutting out each corner in an arc shape.

[0027] In this embodiment, the sensor board 18 installed on the rear surface of the lens folder 16 is also formed with a first engagement recess 24-1, a second engagement recess 24-2 and a third engagement recess 26 for engaging with the rear case 8 in the same manner as the lens folder 16.

[0028] <Front case 6> The front case 6 is an example of the first case portion of the present disclosure. The front case 6 includes a lens window portion 28, and is, for example, a housing made of a molded body integrally molded from a hard synthetic resin. The front case 6 may be formed, for example, by cutting the synthetic resin.

[0029] The lens window 28 is, for example, a circular opening that exposes the lens portion 20 around the optical axis O of the lens unit 14, and is formed with a smaller diameter than the lens portion 20. A flange arrangement portion 30 for arranging the flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14 inside the front case 6 is formed around the periphery of the lens window 28.

[0030] The front case 6 is provided at its inner corners with pillar-shaped reinforcing parts 32, and each reinforcing part 32 has a screw hole 34 formed therein for fixing the rear case 8 thereto.

[0031] <Rear case 8> The rear case 8 is an example of a second case portion of the present disclosure. A first support portion 36-1 and a second support portion 36-2 are provided upright on the rear case 8 to support the imaging unit 4 by the flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14. The first support portion 36-1 and the second support portion 36-2 are set to the same height, and this height forms a buffer space portion 38 for accommodating the rear portion of the imaging unit 4.

[0032] The first support pillar portion 36-1 includes a flange mounting portion 36-11 and an engagement pillar portion 36-12, and the second support pillar portion 36-2 includes a flange mounting portion 36-21 and an engagement pillar portion 36-22.

[0033] Both flange mounting portions 36-11 and 36-21 are rectangular, with the long side of flange mounting portion 36-11 set to be larger than the long side of flange mounting portion 36-21. Both engagement pillar portions 36-12 and 36-22 are pyramidal with a gentle slope, with the long side of engagement pillar portion 36-12 set to be longer than the long side of engagement pillar portion 36-22 at the same height of engagement pillar portions 36-12 and 36-22. In other words, only engagement pillar portion 36-12 can fit into and be inserted into first engagement recess 24-1, and only engagement pillar portion 36-22 can fit into and be inserted into second engagement recess 24-2.

[0034] Therefore, the first engagement recess 24-1 fits into the engagement pillar 36-12 and engages with the first support pillar 36-1, and the second engagement recess 24-2 fits into the engagement pillar 36-22 and engages with the second support pillar 36-2. Due to this relationship, the orientation of the lens unit 14 and the sensor board 18 is specified in a unified manner.

[0035] The rear case 8 has a cable insertion hole 40 and a heat dissipation protrusion 42 formed on the back surface, and a columnar reinforcing portion 44 is formed at an inner corner at a position common to the reinforcing portion 32 of the front case 6. The third engagement recess 26 of the lens holder 16 engages with the reinforcing portion 44, and the lens holder 16 is supported by the rear case 8. Each reinforcing portion 44 has a fixing screw insertion hole 46 formed at the same position as the screw hole 34 of the reinforcing portion 32.

[0036] <First sealing ring 10-1> The first sealing ring 10-1 is, for example, a rubber ring having a sealing function, which is disposed around the lens portion 20 of the lens unit 14 and is held between the front case 6 and the lens unit 14 to perform the sealing function.

[0037] <Second sealing ring 10-2> The second sealing ring 10-2 is, for example, a rubber ring having a sealing function, which is installed between the joint surfaces of the front case 6 and the rear case 8 and is held between the front case 6 and the rear case 8 to seal the space inside the cases.

[0038] <Inter-case connection part 12> The inter-case connection part 12 includes a rear panel 48 that is arranged on the rear surface of the rear case 8. This rear panel 48 is formed of a rigid material such as a metal plate, the outer edge shape of which matches the rear surface shape of the rear case 8, and on the inside thereof is formed a notch 50 similar to the cable insertion hole 40 of the rear case 8, and is provided with opposing fixing pieces 54. Each fixing piece 54 may be provided with an attachment hole or the like.

[0039] Fixing screw insertion holes 52 corresponding to the screw holes 34 of the front case 6 and the fixing screw insertion holes 46 of the rear case 8 are formed in the corners of the rear panel 48. Fixing screws 56 are screwed from the fixing screw insertion holes 52 through the fixing screw insertion holes 46 into the screw holes 34, thereby connecting the front case 6 to the rear case 8. In this case, the rear panel 48 functions as a washer for the fixing screws 56 and reinforces the rear surface of the rear case 8.

[0040] <Imaging unit 4> Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the imaging unit 4. In Fig. 2, the same parts as in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0041] A cylindrical light guide 58 is provided on the rear side of the lens unit 14, and this light guide 58 is formed integrally with the flange portion 23. The lens folder 16 has a cylindrical lens unit support portion 60 standing upright in the center of a plate-shaped folder base portion 59.

[0042] A sliding mechanism 62 is provided between the lens unit support part 60 and the light guide part 58, by which the lens unit support part 60 slidably supports the lens unit 14. The sliding mechanism 62 is capable of adjusting the position of the lens unit 14 on the optical axis O with respect to the lens unit support part 60 by relative movement of a screw part 64 formed on the outer surface of the light guide part 58 and a screw part 66 formed on the inner surface of the lens unit 14 on the optical axis O.

[0043] A sensor board 18 is provided on the back surface of the lens unit support part 60, and an image sensor part 68 such as a CCD element is provided on this sensor board 18 at a position on the optical axis O. This image sensor part 68 is an example of a sensor of the present disclosure. Therefore, by moving the lens unit 14 on the optical axis O, it is possible to adjust the focus of the image sensor part 68, and the lens unit support part 60 can hold the lens unit 14 in an optimal position.

[0044] <Assembly structure of camera module 2> Fig. 3 shows a vertical cross section of the camera module 2. In Fig. 3, the same parts as in Figs. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0045] A first sealing ring 10-1 is attached to a sealing ring attachment portion 22 of the lens unit 14 in which the lens portion 20 is disposed.

[0046] The flange portion 23 is sandwiched between the front case 6 and the first support portion 36-1 of the rear case 8 together with the first sealing ring 10-1, and similarly, the flange portion 23 is sandwiched between the front case 6 and the second support portion 36-2 of the rear case 8 together with the first sealing ring 10-1.

[0047] A second sealing ring 10-2 is installed in a sealing ring installation portion 69 of the front case 6.

[0048] The rear case 8 is joined to the front case 6, a rear panel 48 is installed on the rear side of the rear case 8, and fixing screws 56 are screwed from the fixing screw insertion holes 52 through the fixing screw insertion holes 46 of the rear case 8 into the screw holes 34 of the front case 6, so that the front case 6 and the rear case 8 are fixed together with the fixing screws 56.

[0049] The first sealing ring 10-1 is sandwiched and held in a compressed state between the front case 6 and the flange portion 23, and the second sealing ring 10-2 is sandwiched between the front case 6 and the rear case 8 in a compressed state.

[0050] Due to the action of the restoring forces of first sealing ring 10-1 and second sealing ring 10-2, the fixation between lens unit 14 and front case 6, and the fixation between front case 6 and rear case 8 are both maintained firmly.

[0051] Before assembling the camera module 2, the sensor board 18 is attached to the back surface of the folder base 59, and the lens unit 14 is attached to the lens unit support 60. The lens unit 14 is slidably supported by the lens unit support 60 by the sliding mechanism 62, so that the focus of the imaging sensor 68 can be adjusted. As a result of this focus adjustment, the height from the bottom surface of the flange 23 to the bottom surface of the sensor board 18 (including the electronic components 19 mounted on the back surface side of the sensor board 18 in this case) is defined as H1. This is defined as the height H1 of the imaging unit 4. In contrast, if the height of the first support 36-1 and the second support 36-2 protruding from the bottom surface of the rear case 8 is defined as H2, the height H3 of the buffer space 38 can be expressed by the following formula 1.

[0052] H3=H2-H1 Equation 1

[0053] Therefore, the buffer space portion 38 has a sufficient height to accommodate the imaging unit 4 in the case space due to the height H3. In other words, even if the imaging unit 4 becomes longer due to focus adjustment, it can be installed inside the buffer space portion 38 with plenty of space.

[0054] <Cable retention structure> A cable holder 70 is disposed in a cutout portion 50 of a rear panel 48 disposed on the rear portion of the rear case 8, and holds a cable 72 drawn out from the rear case 8. The cable 72 is connected to the sensor board 18, and is used for connection to an external circuit.

[0055] A third sealing ring 10-3 is installed between the cable holding part 70 and the rear case 8. The cable holding part 70 is fixed to the rear case 8 with a fixing screw 73, and the third sealing ring 10-3 is kept in a compressed state. This seals the lead-out portion of the cable 72.

[0056] <Engagement mechanism 25 between imaging unit 4 and rear case 8> FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, and shows an engagement mechanism 25 between the imaging unit 4 and the rear case 8. As shown in FIG.

[0057] The first engagement recess 24-1 of the folder base portion 59 is inserted into and engages with the first support portion 36-1 of the rear case 8, and the second engagement recess 24-2 of the folder base portion 59 is inserted into and engages with the second support portion 36-2 of the rear case 8.

[0058] In the imaging unit 4, the orientation of the lens unit 14 and the sensor board 18 is determined by the fixation of the flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14 by the first support portion 36-1 and the second support portion 36-2 of the rear case 8 and the front case 6, the engagement of the first engagement recess 24-1 of the lens folder 16 with the first support portion 36-1, and the engagement of the second engagement recess 24-2 of the lens folder 16 with the second support portion 36-2. The imaging unit 4, in which such a relationship is centrally determined, is fixed to the combined front case 6 and rear case 8.

[0059] <Sealing Structure of Front Case 6 and Rear Case 8> Fig. 5 shows a cross section taken along line VV in Fig. 4. The first sealing ring 10-1 is sandwiched and held in a compressed state between the front case 6 and the flange portion 23, and the second sealing ring 10-2 is sandwiched in a compressed state between the front case 6 and the rear case 8. The restoring forces of the first sealing ring 10-1 and the second sealing ring 10-2 act on their respective contact portions, sealing the space between the front case 6 and the lens unit 14 as well as sealing the front case 6 and the rear case 8.

[0060] <Heat dissipation structure of camera module 2> 6 shows a part of a cross section of the camera module 2 cut in the longitudinal direction of the heat dissipation protrusion 42 of the rear case 8. The heat dissipation protrusion 42 protrudes into the rear case 8, and a heat dissipation recess 76 is formed in the outer surface of the rear case 8 at the heat dissipation protrusion 42. A curved uneven surface portion is formed in the rear case 8 by the heat dissipation protrusion 42 and the heat dissipation recess 76, and the heat dissipation area of ​​the rear case 8 is expanded. A heat conductive member 74 is provided between the heat dissipation protrusion 42 and the rear side of the sensor board 18 of the imaging unit 4.

[0061] The image sensor section 68 is in contact with the heat dissipating protrusion 42 via the sensor substrate 18 and the heat conductive member 74, and is capable of dissipating heat.

[0062] <Camera module 2 manufacturing process> The manufacturing process of the camera module 2 is an example of a manufacturing method of the camera module 2 of the present disclosure.

[0063] The manufacturing process of this camera module 2 includes a step of forming the imaging unit 4, a step of adjusting the focus, a step of installing the imaging unit 4, a step of connecting the cases, and the like.

[0064] Step of forming the imaging unit 4: In this step of forming the imaging unit 4, the optical guide portion 58 of the lens unit 14 is attached to the lens unit support portion 60 of the lens folder 16 to combine the lens unit 14 and the lens folder 16, thereby forming the imaging unit 4.

[0065] Focus Adjustment Step: In this focus adjustment step, the lens unit 14 attached to the lens holder 16 is adjusted by the sliding mechanism 62 to perform focus adjustment.

[0066] Installation process of the imaging unit 4: In this installation process of the imaging unit 4, the imaging unit 4 is installed in the storage space of the front case 6 and the rear case 8. That is, the flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14 is sandwiched and supported between the front case 6 and the first support portion 36-1 and the second support portion 36-2, and the rear portion of the imaging unit 4 is engaged with the first engagement recess 24-1 of the folder base portion 59 and the first support portion 36-1, and with the second engagement recess 24-2 of the folder base portion 59 and the second support portion 36-2. As a result, the imaging unit 4 is installed in the buffer space portion 38 whose height is set by the first support portion 36-1 and the second support portion 36-2.

[0067] Inter-case connecting step: In this inter-case connecting step, the front case 6 and the rear case 8 are joined and fixed together at the inter-case connecting portion 12 .

[0068] Therefore, the camera module 2 can be manufactured through the above steps.

[0069] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained. (1) By combining the front case 6 and the rear case 8, the flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14 can be fixed between the flange arrangement portion 30 of the front case 6 and the first support portion 36-1 and the second support portion 36-2 of the rear case 8, and the first engagement recess 24-1 of the lens folder 16 that holds the lens unit 14 can be engaged with the first support portion 36-1 of the rear case 8, and the second engagement recess 24-2 can be engaged with the second support portion 36-2 of the rear case 8 to fix the imaging unit 4, and the imaging unit 4 can be protected by the front case 6 and the rear case 8.

[0070] (2) The flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14 included in the imaging unit 4 after focus adjustment can be fixed to the front case 6 and the rear case 8, and the lens folder 16 that holds the lens unit 14 is engaged with and supported by the first support portion 36-1 and the second support portion 36-2 of the rear case 8. Since no stress is applied to the imaging unit 4 in the optical axis direction, the imaging unit after focus adjustment can be protected and no inconvenience such as impairing the focus adjustment occurs.

[0071] (3) The front case 6 and the rear case 8 can be firmly fixed together, which increases the robustness and reliability of the camera module 2.

[0072] (4) The imaging unit 4 can be fixed in the space between the front case 6 and the rear case 8 without affecting the focus adjustment state of the imaging unit 4, and the imaging unit 4 can be protected.

[0073] (5) The camera module can be made more robust and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0074] (6) According to this camera module 2, the buffer space 38 can absorb variations in the overall length of the imaging unit 4.

[0075] (7) The first sealing ring 10-1 interposed between the flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14 and the front case 6, and the second sealing ring 10-2 interposed between the front case 6 and the rear case 8, seal the front case 6 and the rear case 8 as well as preventing the intrusion of dust and moisture and avoiding the effects of noise light, such as stray light that interferes with actual images.

[0076] (8) In combination with the compression of the first sealing ring 10-1 and the second sealing ring 10-2, the flange portion 23 of the lens unit 14, the front case 6, and the rear case 8 can be firmly fixed, thereby achieving a highly robust fixing and housing structure and improving the reliability of the camera module.

[0077] (9) The heat dissipation properties of the rear case 8 can be improved, and the heat resistance of the camera module can be improved.

[0078] Other Embodiments The present disclosure includes the following embodiments. (1) In the above embodiment, a screw sliding mechanism is exemplified as the sliding mechanism 62. However, the sliding mechanism 62 may be a slide mechanism that has a plurality of vertical grooves and slides the lens unit 14 in the optical axis direction.

[0079] (2) Although rectangular support surfaces are formed on the tops of the first support column 36-1 and the second support column 36-2, these support surfaces may also be circular.

[0080] (3) The recess of the first engagement recess 24-1 may be semicircular, and the corresponding engagement pillar portion 36-12 of the first support portion 36-1 may also be cylindrical, and the recess of the second engagement recess 24-2 may be semicircular, and the corresponding engagement pillar portion 36-22 of the second support portion 36-2 may also be cylindrical.

[0081] As explained above, the most preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above description, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes based on the gist of the present disclosure described in the claims or disclosed in the specification, and such modifications and changes are naturally included in the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0082] According to the camera module and manufacturing method thereof of the present disclosure, the fixing strength between the case and the imaging unit can be increased, and a highly robust camera module can be provided, thereby improving the convenience of the camera module. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 2 Camera module 4 Imaging unit 6 Front case 8 Rear case 10-1 First sealing ring 10-2 Second sealing ring 10-3 Third sealing ring 12 Case connection 14 Lens unit 16 Lens Folder 18 Sensor board 19 Electronic Components 20 Lens section 21 Lens holder 22 Sealing ring attachment part 23 Flange 24-1 First engagement recess 24-2 Second engagement recess 25 Engagement mechanism 26 Third engagement recess 28 Lens window 30 Flange placement section 32 Reinforcement 34 Screw hole 36-1 1st pillar section 36-11, 36-21 Flange mounting part 36-2 2nd pillar section 36-12, 36-22 Engagement pillar part 38 Buffer space 40 Cable insertion hole 42 Heat dissipation protrusion 44 Reinforcement 46 Fixing screw insertion hole 48 Rear Panel 50 Notch 52 Fixing screw insertion hole 54 Fixed piece 56, 73 Fixing screw 58 Light guide 59 Folder base 60 Lens unit support 62 Sliding Mechanism 64, 66 Threaded part 68 Image sensor section 69 Sealing ring installation part 70 Cable holder 72 Cable 74 Thermal Conductive Materials 76 Heat dissipation recess

Claims

1. an imaging unit including a lens unit having a flange portion perpendicular to an optical axis and a lens holder for holding the lens unit having an engagement recess; A first case portion including a flange arrangement portion on which the flange portion is arranged; a second case portion that supports the flange portion and includes a support portion that engages with the engagement recess, and is joined to the first case portion; a fixing mechanism that fixes the imaging unit to the first case portion by sandwiching the flange portion between the flange arrangement portion and the support portion; an engagement mechanism that engages the engagement recess with the support column to support the imaging unit in the second case portion; a camera module including:

2. The engagement recess includes at least a first engagement recess and a second engagement recess having different shapes, the support pole includes at least a first support pole that engages with the first engagement recess and a second support pole that engages with the second engagement recess, The camera module according to claim 1 , wherein an arrangement direction of the lens unit or the image sensor unit included in the imaging unit is determined by engagement between the first engagement recess and the first support portion, or between the second engagement recess and the second support portion.

3. a first sealing ring disposed between the flange portion and the flange arrangement portion including the first case portion; a second sealing ring disposed between the first case portion and the second case portion; 2. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the fixing mechanism fixes the first case part and the second case part together with the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring in a compressed state.

4. The camera module according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat dissipation section provided in the second case section for dissipating heat from a space inside the case.

5. a step of forming an imaging unit by holding a lens unit in a lens folder, and adjusting the focus of the lens unit; a step of placing a flange portion of the lens holder in a flange placement portion of a first case portion and engaging a support portion of a second case portion with an engaging recess of the lens holder; a step of fixing the imaging unit to the first case part by sandwiching the flange part between the flange arrangement part and the support part, and supporting the imaging unit on the support part to join the first case part and the second case part; A method for manufacturing a camera module, comprising:

Images